The Last Bison is anything but typical. The seven-member ensemble, led by Ben, has seemingly risen from the marshes of southeastern Virginia to captivate the national music scene with a rare blend of folk that is poetically steeped in classical influences.

Band members describe the sound as “mountain-top chamber.” The band has drawn flattering though imperfect comparisons to indie rock superstars Mumford & Sons, the Decemberists, and Fleet Foxes. The comparison is flattering because each of those bands has carried folk rock into the mainstream, but imperfect because none of them has a frontman who shares the stage with his father and sister, nor uses a 75-year-old chaplain’s pump organ and Bolivian goat toenails on stage. The Last Bison is a tight-knit community of family and friends that boasts a sound all its own.

The Last Bison’s live shows transport audiences from modern urban music halls to a less familiar era. Rich melodies accent unabashedly spiritual lyrics. Traditional folk instruments resonate with unexpected arrangements, sharing the musical space with lush family harmonies, classical strings, and earthy percussion. Band members appear to have stepped out of an 18th century stagecoach. The look hints at the band’s roots in colonial Virginia, while the sound transcends a defining era.

Since relocating to the United States in 2010, British singer-songwriter COVEY has managed to connect with listeners through his soul-bearing lyrics and gravelly, raw voice. Having experimented with different genres, such as folk, indie, and electronic music, COVEY has found a way to craft his own sound. Often influenced by the likes of Mumford & Sons and Ben Howard, his music is difficult to assign to a specific genre, but with his ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, COVEY is a truly captivating artist.